Accumulations of high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) and glutenin macropolymer (GMP) in wheat grains are important indicators of grain quality. Two wheat cultivars, Yangmai 158 (shading tolerant) and Yangmai 11 (shading intolerant) which contains the same subunit pairs of 7 + 8 and 2 + 12, were used to evaluate the impacts of shading on HMW-GS accumulation and GMP concentration in the grain. Three shading levels were implemented from jointing to maturity, i.e. S1, S2 and S3, in which the plants received 8 %, 15 % and 23 % less radiation of the control (S0), respectively. The initial formation of HMW-GS was pre-dated by shading. The rapid HMW-GS accumulation duration was shortened, and the accumulation rate during late grain filling period was lowered in the two relatively severe shaded treatments (S2 & S3). Thus, the total HMW-GS accumulation in single grain at maturity was lower in S2 and S3 than in the control (S0). However, concentrations of HMW-GS and GMP at maturity increased because of the reduced single grain weight in S2 and S3, as compared to S0. In contrast, the low density shading (S1) prolonged the rapid accumulation duration of HMW-GS, hence increased the accumulation and concentration of HMW-GS in the grains. Consequently, S1 reduced falling number and SDS-sedimentation volume, while shortened dough development time (DDT) and dough stability time (DST). In contrast, S2 and S3 increased falling number, wet-gluten concentration and SDS-sedimentation volume, and lengthened the DDT and DST. In addition, the fluctuations in accumulations of HMW-GS and GMP and most quality traits because of shading in Yangmai 158 were less than Yangmai 11. The interrelations between HMW-GS accumulation, GMP concentration and quality of grain and dough were further discussed.